Bipolar Depression

I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS ANY POSITIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT HAVING THIS MENTAL ILLNESS? ITS HARD TO GET FEEL BETTER WHEN THERE IS ALL THIS NEGATIVITY AND IM NOT SAYING I BEEN THE MOST POSITIVE BUT ARENT WE SUPPOSED TO HELP EACHOTHER TO FEEL POSITIVE ABOUT FEELING BETTER!

Yes, positive feeling is a state of mind, and life has it's share of misery- bipolar or not. Bipolar people are the most creative, inspired walks of life. They have no boundry, thats why I fell in love with my bipolar wife, and theres always a bit of danger and wonder!

quote:

Originally posted by Kate:
I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE HAS ANY POSITIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT HAVING THIS MENTAL ILLNESS? ITS HARD TO GET FEEL BETTER WHEN THERE IS ALL THIS NEGATIVITY AND IM NOT SAYING I BEEN THE MOST POSITIVE BUT ARENT WE SUPPOSED TO HELP EACHOTHER TO FEEL POSITIVE ABOUT FEELING BETTER!

No boundary -- and a feeling of danger and wonder.. my husband would probably agree. He is almost a little disappointed that I am so trying not to do anything these days to overstimulate myself.

Definately a sense of wonder though -- I think bipolar people are more likely to have a developed sense of awe and appreciation for beauty.

I think the depressions are butt awful and it gets worse with age and being a little more alive than others some of the time doesn't make up for it, but it sure beats there being no positives. It is odd for an illness to have positive effects isn't it?

Kate, there isn't much positive about finding out you are sick -- I think it is about coping. Having BP means you have it for life, you can't beat it like you can get rid of cancer. I just read some depressing papers on bp in the doctor literature - scares me.

The only positive thing is that it isn't ALL of your life. You can still fall in love, have chidlren and lead a fullfilling life -- but it mostly has to be despite being bp, not because of it. Though : ) == you can get someone quite good to fall in love with u when you are high. So a little bit different.

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Bipolar people are the most creative, inspired walks of life. They have no boundry.

I must say, that's what drew me to my bipolar husband. He's creative, funny, and exciting! He's also my best friend. We've been through tough times and we're hoping to keep on trucking.

BYD

My bipolar husband is also ADD, and his manic phases, when slight, remind me of his ADD, which carries some benefits such as the ability to multitask and think with clarity.

Also, what I have learned from all of this is to appreciate the good times when they come around. Things are never going to be normal, and even the idea of being stable is temporary because he is subject to relapse. When I embraced the idea of appreciating the good times, my sense of frustration was somewhat eased and I felt a degree of peace as well as a return to that sense that you have only in childhood (or yoga), the importance of "now."

The positive is that we can have a successful life in spite of it.